ESDO has been working for a specific regulation of lead free paint. In line with this, ESDO has been continuing policy advocacy since 2010. ESDO had prepared a draft regulatory frame work and guide line; that had submitted to the concern authority [Department of Environment (DOE)]. As a result, In 2018, Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) has finalized a standard for the paint manufacturing industry setting the limit of harmful lead content for household paint at maximum 90 ppm (parts per million).
Updated status: at a glance
- According to the national report of ESDO on “Lead in Paint- 2013”; within this year leading paint brands in Bangladesh with major market share had largely stopped producing paints containing more than 600 parts per million (ppm) lead.
- All relevant government ministries have discussed and reviewed Draft Guidelines for a 50 ppm and complete lead paint elimination.
- In 2015, the Director General of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) told ESDO in a meeting that it would enforce a 50 ppm mandatory standard for lead in household enamel.
- All relevant government ministries have discussed and reviewed Draft Guidelines for a 50 ppm and complete lead paint elimination.
- In 2015, the Director General of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) told ESDO in a meeting that it would enforce a 50 ppm mandatory standard for lead in household enamel.
- In 2018, Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) has finalized a standard for the paint manufacturing industry setting the limit of harmful lead content for household paint at maximum 90 ppm (parts per million) which make Bangladesh the only country with a mandatory standard on Lead Paint in South – East Asia.
- In 2019, ESDO lead elimination team has started conducting survey on lead and toxic chemical in toys. They collected sample from different market and different types of toy shops. Along with that they also conducted a survey based on paint imported from India in Bangladesh market place.
- ESDO started working on ULAB in 2017 and did a baseline study in 2018. In 2020, the organisation engaged in a pilot project with UNEP and Pure Earth on the ESM of ULAB. Activities covered by the project include an assessment study of ULAB recycling in Bangladesh, the organization of a stakeholder planning and coordination meeting, the development of a national strategy on ULAB recycling, and a comprehensive review of Bangladesh framework. ESDO have already submitted Country Situation report on ULAB recycling in Bangladesh to Pure Earth. It will be a combined report of ESDO and Pure Earth.
Every year since 2012, from 20th-26th October ESDO has been observing International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPPW) by conducting human chain and round table meeting with Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paint – GAELP. In International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, ESDO tries to arise awareness and promotes action to address the human health effect of lead exposure, specially for children. During the week, government, academicians, industry and civil society advance efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning, and specially laws to eliminate lead in paint.
